Page 6 of The One

“Oh.” I relax. For a brief moment, I experienced a surge of anxiety. Which is ridiculous. Abel was sent to protect me. I wouldn't be shocked if he could walk through fire.

“I made you something to eat.” I think he mutters a curse under his breath, pulling out his phone. “Will you eat?”

“Yes.” Abel took the time to make it. I’m not going to be rude. I’m kind of interested in seeing what he made. I should have watched him cook, but I was pouting.

“Good. I have to go.”

“You’re leaving?” The anxiety I had moments ago starts to build again. But I tamp it down, knowing I’m being ridiculous. It’s not like this man is here to be my babysitter. His job is to keep me safe.

“I’ll be back.”

“Okay.” I stand there. So does he, staring at me. “Is there something else?”

“Shit.” He rubs the top of his head.

“It’s fine, really.” It’s not. I don’t want to be alone. Besides, where is he going this late?

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” To my surprise, he walks over to me. “You’re safe here. Do what you like.” I nod. “Take the bed.”

“But—”

“Take the bed.” It comes out as an order this time. I’m about to protest, but Abel once again presses his mouth against mine. He holds it there for a few seconds before he pulls back. “Eat, watch a movie, and get some rest.” I nod. “I’m starting to get it.”

“What?”

“Be a good girl, Angel.” He gives me one last long look before he’s gone.

5

CHURCH

This feeling of not wanting to handle things is different for me. Before, I used to jump at the chance to work. But I’m finding that all I want to handle right now is the Angel that I have tucked away in my home. I remind myself that she’s not going anywhere. I’ll deal with this bullshit and get back to her. She’s gone quiet on me. I’m not usually a man of many words, but she seems to draw them out of me. Unfortunately for me, Angel gave me a taste of the silence I give everyone else. I don’t like it. I enjoy listening to her. I find her soft, sweet voice soothing.

Still, as I descend the stairs, I pull out my phone to make sure the cameras are working so that I can check in on her if need be. A warm feeling settles inside me when I see her sitting down at the table to eat the plate of food I made her. Will she eat and then lie down in my bed? The thought of returning to find her there is one I have to put to the back of my mind when I see Matteo and his right-hand man, Sergio.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Matteo snaps out. It might be time for me to reprogram my locks. Few people havethe codes to enter the warehouse to this point. It’s a necessity. They do, after all, often have to bring my work to me. Sometimes I’ll collect it myself. But most times it’s more convenient if I can work from home.

“Is he here?” I ask my own question. Matteo’s eyes narrow on me.

He owns this city and everyone in it. We’ve never butted heads before. Matteo is a decent man—well, decent compared to so many others. He runs his city with an iron fist, but he isn’t a tyrant. That's why I settled down here. He isn’t the only person I work for, but lately he has become the main one. I suppose I have gotten comfortable here. Still, I’m not on his payroll. I don’t answer to him, but I am in his city.

“Church!” Matteo says again. He isn’t as big as I am. Not many are, but he can handle himself. It’s not always about brute force, and your size can hinder you at times. Not that it would matter. Sergio would easily put a bullet through my head before I could even reach Matteo. All of Matteo’s men are loyal. “She’s a senator's daughter,” he says as though that makes any difference to me. Shewasa senator’s daughter, but now she’s mine.

“I don’t care.”

“Respect.” Sergio cuts in.

“It’s fine,” Matteo tells him. I’m not trying to disrespect him. But I’m not going to spell out my reasons for taking Angel either. Matteo knows that. It’s not as though we sit around and chitchat. I’m not one of the boys. “She better be worth it.”

“I'm keeping her. I’ll pay whatever.” No, I’m not paying Matteo for her. I’m willing to cover whatever money he will have tothrow around to shut some fuckers up. “Or I could leave,” I offer. I will give him that. “Withthe girl.”

“You’re not leaving.” I had a feeling he’d say that, but I wasn’t sure. “You're too fucking talented at your job.” Matteo shakes his head. “Next time, give me the courtesy of a heads-up.”

“There won’t be a next time.” I don’t go snatching girls out of their homes on a daily basis. Well, not to keep for myself anyway.

“You’re really keeping her?” His tone sounds surprised, but his face gives nothing away. I’m sure he didn’t see this coming. Hell, I hadn’t either. That’s not entirely true. I knew once I saw my Angel in that family photo that I would do whatever it took to have her. And in my mind, taking her was the only way to make that my reality. I merely shrug my responce. What Angel and I do is no one else’s business, but mine. “And the boy?”

“You mean her twin brother?” That does give me some pause, but I know what needs to be done.

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